Introducing Flickr Favourites

Few sites continually inspire me with the same degree of creative, endlessly beautiful wonder that Flickr does. I’ve professed my undying love for Flickr here before (and like to think it comes through in my Saturday Snapshots posts, as well as many other image filled articles), but have been wanting for ages to launch a regularly occurring post devoted squarely to this amazing image filled site.

Instead of assigning this new reoccurring post a set day of the week (for example, Tuesday), I’ve decided to put together a Flickr Favourites post whenever the mood strikes – which will certainly be on a frequent basis (I’d tentatively say one such post every week or two).

While Saturday Snapshots focuses solely on vintage photographs of "real folks" (as opposed to famous people, magazine pictures featuring models, etc), the images that appear in “Flickr Favourites” will be a tapestry of old school snaps and modern photos with a vintage slant (or ones that I simply find to be too resplendently lovely to not share with you). Sometimes the images that appear in a given post may have a common theme, on others might be entirely random, tied together simply by their inherently breathtaking vintage related subject matter.

Last June I wrote about ten of my favourite Flickr groups devoted to various vintage topics, and many of you shared with me how much you enjoyed that roundup. Since that time I’ve thought often of that post, wanting to have a regular outlet in which to share more vintage related Flickr groups, so in addition to a selection of assorted images that have captured my imagination recently, each time I write an edition of Flickr Favourites, I’ll be including a previously un-blogged about Flickr group that’s focused solely on some marvellous aspect of the past.

I’m so excited about this delightfully fun new post, and sincerely hope that the images below, as well as all that follow in future editions, will provide you with scores of inspiration, help to fuel your vintage daydreams and brighten you day in the sweetest of ways.


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{Vintage Turquoise Creamer by ethanollie}



{Floating spoons by saltycotton}



{Still life 5 by lucy.loomis}



{A Symphony of Pink and Turquoise by Charm and Poise}



{Spring Journey by Magpie’s Fancy}


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Teaming with images of lovely treasures, retro kitsch, family heirlooms and other items gathered and saved from yesteryear, the Flickr group Vintage Beauty – Thrifted Bliss teams with photos of assorted vintage items and photographs that people have found while out thrifting and want to share, or are hoping to sell (elsewhere, Flickr itself has a strict no selling policy).


{1. Stewardess from the 1950s, 2. 60s mod, 3. hairdyer1, 4. Romance is in the air}

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As spring ever-so-slowly creeps out of hiding here, my mind is evidently being drawn to shades of turquoise and blue, both hues that contain the ability to be serene and invigorating at the same time, much like this very season itself.

Wishing you each a radiantly sunshine filled Monday – and a week ahead bursting with bliss!

Five for Friday: January 29, 2010

...Sunshine, delicate as spun sugar encircles the air, yet its presence is a mask for the bitingly cold temperature that accompanies the light outside, pale as home churned butter. Still, so long as one is indoors, it’s nearly impossible not to feel invigorated by the much needed dose of vitamin D that the sun delivers – and certainly, sweet little Stella, loves the having a spot of light to nap in peacefully. As the weekend approaches my mind shifts to thoughts of tranquility levels equaling that of a sleeping cat. We’re still in the thick of winter and there’s no reason why a spot of good old fashioned hibernation can’t be on the agenda. Curl up with your favourite warm drink, a snugly blanket and some thick, comfy socks to fend off the chill, and settle back for a few minutes of fun with this week’s edition of Five for Friday...


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{Delicate petals of burgundy vintage satin and velvet swirl together with tiny rhinestones in this charming handmade fascinator style headband. Can’t you just picture this pretty piece paired with a cream hued wool coat or a faux fur stole during the winter, then as an accompaniment to your favourite flirty summer dresses and skirts. “Penelope” vintage millinery blossom headband, $25.00 (US) from etsy seller Katrina Pinka.}

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{Writing letters is one of my favourite activities no matter the season, but I find that the natural fact winter tends to equate to spending more time indoors means I’m able to zip off even more quick notes and long correspondence alike. I’m continually on the prowl for beautiful and/or adorable stationery, and this charming set of two notepads (50 pages each) of lined paper and delightfully cute plastic quill pen fit the bill perfectly! “Lines Birdie Note Pads and Plume Pen Set”, $22.00 (US) from Plasticland.}

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{If ever there was a scent that was aptly named to appeal to fans of the past like us, “Vintage Soul” from Liz Clairborne is it! Not only does this eau de parfum have a lovely moniker, it comes in an immensely beautiful bottle (and box) that calls to minds thoughts of the Moulin Rouge in its heyday, and is packed with a garden full of floral notes such as lilies, freesia, cactus flower, jasmine, gardenia, and tuberose. 3.4oz bottle of Vintage Soul, $22.61 (Cnd) from overstock.com}

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{Put the kettle on and pair your favourite cuppa with these fantastically cute Tiny Cherry and Almond Tea Cakes (which look both rustically playful and deeply sophisticated at the same time) made with sweet binge cherries and kirsch for oodles of appealing fruit and flavour. Image from, and recipe on, marthastewart.com.}

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{Rich, regally elegant jewel tones always seem to go hand-in-hand with the colder months (in my mind at least) and work so well to bolster one’s spirits. What better way to infuse a royal hit of passionately deep eggplant into your wardrobe then with this stunning 1940s reproduction frock? “Lula” wiggle dress with fish tail hem, available in sixes small-XL, £100.00 (UK) from The Pin-up Emporium.}

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Bundles of thanks, everyone, for your wonderfully lovely comments this week! At the risk of sounding like a broken record (but for the sake of Chronically Vintage’s newest followers), I will do my best over the course of the next couple of days to catch up on my visits to your own splendid sites. I love hearing from you so, so much and appreciate every one of your shared thoughts.

Wishing you all an amazing, warm and relaxing weekend – and last two days of the first month of 2010!

Five for Friday {September 18, 2009}

...Time for celebrating the big and the small in life. Sending enormous birthday wishes out across the vast Canadian miles to my step-dad, while on the home front delighting in the fact that the first autumn leaves, tinged the hue of a school bus, have begun to appear. Over the next two days I’ll be relaxing, creating, spending the weekend with an equal measure of serenity and vibrant, hopeful energy...


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{To meet fall head on in the most staggeringly beautiful fashion}


{If it is possible to fall in love with a photo, I have done so with this almost surreally sublime image of a vintage inspired young woman holding a huge floral print patio table style umbrella. Photo by Phillip Newton.}


{To embellish any surface with vintage charm, or more aptly, "with button" :) }


{Decorated and affixed with antique looking paper, these vintage ink bottles hold a mishmash of assorted old buttons, which you could certainly use or leave in the bottle for an adorable decorative conversation starter. 2” by 2.5” vintage ink bottles with buttons, $14.00 (US) each from Karla’s Cottage.}


{To inspire the most gorgeous, magical, amazing ice cream centered party of all time}


{If you only click through one link in this post, I implore you to make it this one. The photo above is but the tip of the ice(cream)berge. The page you’ll be taken to is chocked full of fantastically pretty photos of a decor and paper craft related ideas (including free template downloads for the labels and templates used throughout this magnificent post) to help you throw a pink, feminine, elegant, whimsical ice cream parlour themed party worthy of a princess! Image via Eat Drink Chic.}


{To carry the ethereal splendour of a summer bloom tucked into your hair any time of the year}


{Comprised of silken petals so delicate they nearly look like a genuine flower, this handmade bloom can be attached to a headband or comb and is made to order, ensuring you get exactly the kind of floral accessory you’re looking for. I can only imagine how enchanting this would look in person as part of a wedding ensemble. Custom made silk hair flower, $70.00 (US) from etsy seller Twigs and Honey.}


{To kick start the autumn crafting season off on an adorable note!}


{There is something so old fashioned and heart warming about the act of creating a stitchery by hand. I adore all manner of stitched arts and couldn’t help but share this free pattern for hand stitched wallet adorned with an immensely cute bird nestled amongst a sea of flowers. Image from, and pattern to create your own version available on, Cinderberry Stitches.}


Wishing you each a joyful, bright, wonderful weekend full of whatever you love to celebrate in this world!

Five For Friday {August 7, 2009}

...The first week of August rolls to a close, summer still blaring, the heat very much at our heels. Time for bright, joyful, carefree moments and a generous dose of something sweet and beautiful, whether it’s edible or not...



{To banish the drying effects of sun, saltwater and air conditioning on your lips}


{A lush balm in a preciously pretty vintage inspired tin, perfect worn alone or as a moisturizing gloss of sorts over your favourite lipstick. Rosebud Strawberry Lip Balm, $7.00 (US) from Sephora.}


{To wear to any – and all – occasions that call for utter fabulousness!}


{Each week I encounter a slew of vintage items that my make heart swoon, many I would love to own but simply admire from afar because they’re not the right size or infinitely beyond the scoop of my budget. This is a dress that if it was my size, I would really and truly snap up in a heartbeat and happily buy nothing else for the rest of month because of. $85.00 (US) from etsy seller Fab Gabs Vintage.}


{To capture the splendour of summer blooms in a china cabinet all year long}


{Cindy from My Romantic Home has a house and trove of incredible, gorgeous, often vintage and antique items the likes of which many of us can only dream about. Her blog and house are perpetual sources of sublime inspiration for me, and the moment I spotted this beloved chintz tea cup of hers in a recent post, I knew I had to share a photo of it with you. If you’re on the prowl for similar pieces be sure to check out etsy, estate sales, antiques markets and shops, eBay, plus your relatives' china cabinets. For something soothing, but still very summery to enjoy in your favourite tea cup, why not try a lovely caffeine-free tea blend full of fruit flavours, such as “Angel’s Kiss” from Vintage Tea.}


{To recapture the spirit of top 40 lists past in the most glamorous – and adorable – way imaginable!}


{Quite possibly the most awesome looking vintage inspired modern radio of all time! Available in a host of lovely colours (including the pastel pink model above), the Roberts R250 radio (which can run on batteries or an adapter) would add a huge jolt of vintage charm to any room – or trip to the beach. £95.00 (UK pounds) from O’Gormans Direct.}


{To add a scrumptious dose of whimsy to two timeless classics: cookies and watermelon}


{Many intricately shaped and iced cookies can seem tricky for a non-cookie making pro to tackle, but I think these charming, cheerful watermelon cut-out cookies would be a snap to whip up after a trip to the local baking supply store. They’d be absolutely perfect to serve at barbeques, outdoor parties, picnics and birthdays all summer long! Photo from, and recipe on, The Decorated Cookie.}




Scores of thanks go out to everyone who stopped by to leave wonderful birthday wishes yesterday for my husband, from both Mrs. & Mr. Chronically Vintage. Thank you so very much!

What, my darling dears, do you have on the agenda for this coming weekend? Aside from compiling this weekend’s Pretty Link Roundup, I haven’t quite finalized my plans yet. I’ve got a backlog of email that I’m eager to tackle, but feel like the glorious August sunshine demands my attention, so I’ll definitely try to sneak in some time outdoors, too.

However you spend the next couple of days, I wish you each a tranquil, blissful, marvelous weekend!

Five for Friday {July 24, 2009}

...This weekend is in need of uplifting serenity, respite from nagging worries, gentle moments spent listening to the breeze, and something fantastically sweet to take the occasionally bitter tinge off of everyday life...




{To keep you both cool and gorgeous at night}


{For everyday where I prefer nightgowns that veer towards gamine, charming pieces that could almost pass for the lightest of summer dresses, like this charming vintage number. 1950s Sweet Maiden white cotton nightgown, $45.00 (US) from Heavenly Vintage Lingerie.}


{To breathe new life into vintage linens}


{I spotted the incredibly cute idea of turning vintage pillowcases into children’s dresses at my sweet friend Karyn’s blog and have been thinking about it ever since. I fully believe that you could turn a pillow case into an adult size skirt too (perhaps with the addition of a second fabric), and am enamoured by idea now.}


{To celebrate the fact that cherry season is too short not to make the very best out of it!}


{One the most refreshing, perfectly suited to July recipes you could ever hope to encounter: cherry ice cream profiteroles with almond granita. Photo from, and recipe to be found on, the brilliant culinary blog, Dessert first.}


{To ensure one of the best elements of summer lives on all year long}


{The scent of line-dried or piping hot from the dryer cotton is one of the most relaxing and beautiful on earth, something that I wish I could have at the ready constantly. Fortunately, as this beautiful perfume attests to, I’m not the only one who feels this way. Clean Warm Cotton eau de perfume, $69.00 (US) from Clean Perfume.}


{To remind you of all the truly amazing everyday beauty in this world}


{Any and every photograph from the astonishingly fantastic, deeply gorgeous Flickr group Joyful Simplicities. 1. Untitled, 2. The butterfly room at Phipps Conservatory, 3. A warm welcome, 4. Lavender Harvest. Please click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information.}





Wishing you each a weekend filled whatever brings your heart bliss, days spilling over with tranquility and star-kissed evenings.

Perfect summer sunlight {Monday Muses, June 29th}

Even a thunder storm on Wednesday couldn’t seem to shake off the wild heat that came pouncing into Toronto last week, which must certainly mean that any lingering specks of spring are now a distant memory.

Brutal as the famous Ontario humidity here can be at times, I don’t detest summer in the least; it’s a season that conjures up countless childhood memories of my youth spent on the opposite, west coast side of the country. From the ludicrously sweet, juicy peaches we picked by the bucket for free from neighbours to running barefoot across the griddle-hot beach all August long, I hold summer dear because of what it meant to me as a child.

Looking back I see many of these memories in my mind’s eye with a tinge of hazy, soothing, maize hued sunlight. The sort of atmospheric aura that instantly made everything a little prettier and lulled your mind into a continual sense of daydreaming where the present could just as easily be a glimpse of the past.

A slew of photos that capture this sense of hot, enchanted, vintage inspired light have caught my eye lately, and as such I’ve decided that each of the seven beautiful images below are my Monday Muses for the week.

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{Care of Violet Folklore}



{From the pages of Kisses and Cross Stitches}



{Sourced from Daydream Lily}



{Unearthed from the pages of absinthe & betty Smith}



{First viewed and loved on Dustjacket Attic}



{Discovered via Raspberryroses on Flickr}



{Smiled upon and borrowed from rose-coloured-rain}


While the heat can be stifling at times – there’s no denying that – it is also passionate and serene, gentle and soft like an aged, favourite blanket plucked from the dryer and wrapped snugly around you. I don’t glamorize every element of summer – not by a long shot – but there is something about popcorn coloured sunlight on a gorgeous summer day that never loses its endearing appeal.

The divine beauty of pale pink {Monday Muses, June 8th}

Perhaps it was the rose bushes that laced the fence in our little backyard growing up, maybe it ties back to the gentle hue of strawberry ice cream eaten on the beach, or it could have to do with the adorable little sundresses my mother placed me as a child, whatever the reason there is something about the onset of June that always makes me think of the softer shades of pink. Those sorts of hues that call to mind a kitten’s nose, antique bedspreads and Gooseberry patterned Pyrex.


{Gathered from the pages of Flickr, each of these marvelously sweet, serene, beautiful images inspires me and instantly enlivens my mood. 1. Pink dress and turquoise shoes, 2. pink tuesday..., 3. pink dress - detail, 4. 05.04.09 {birthday fun}, 5. a ribbon addict, 6. i <3 girly and sparkly things, 7. Pink vintage millinery dress form, 8. my little favorite corner, 9. ooo, 10. ♥ 1950's Pink Rose Print Day Dress w/Tiny Lace Details ♥, 11. 50's Pink Junior Dress, 12. 1950s Pink Embroidered Dress, 13. PINK White Gingham Check 50s 60s Corset Tie Dress - View 1. Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information.}

From weddings to sunsets, pink suddenly seems to flourish this time of year, as if brought back to the world through a kiss from the sun. As such soft shades of pink are my Muses this week, inspiring me to send letters on floral print stationery and reach for the gentlest shade of pink in my lipstick arsenal. The following are an array of images and items, each imparted with the graceful beauty of pale pink that have made my heart flutter lately.


{Lovely as the cosmetics in this vintage ad from sugarpie honeybunch’s Flickr stream are, I think it’s the models ever so gently pink satin gloves that steal the show here for me!}


{Skip a pricey trip to the salon for a manicure and opt instead to give your nails the loveliest hint of pink at home with this subtle shade of Essie polish. “Not just a pretty face”, $8.00US.}


{Strikingly realist looking, this stunning silk rose clip from Flowerclip.com – which sells for $34US – would add an incredible dose of elegance and summery beauty to any outfit.}


{While I tend to favour the modesty (many) one piece bathing suits provide, the incredibly cute, itsy-bitsy polka dot pattern on this pale pink, vintage inspired swimsuit would be exactly what I’d reach for if I was in the market for a bikini. If you’d like to add one to your summer wardrobe, you can do so for $134.99US on Mod Cloth.}


{Whether you want to stay cool during the day or heat things up at night, this fun pink feather fan (that measures 20 inches when open) from the Red Hat Society’s online shop is sure to bring a smile to your way. Pluck one up for $12.00US.}


{Black flowers dance across a sea of pale pink and white gingham on this wonderful 50s style halter dress from Vivien of Holloway. One of which can be yours, if you so fancy, for £59.00 (UK pounds).}


{Dusted with light peachy-pink accents, these charming vintage looking heels from Mod Cloth would work extremely well with everything from skirts to slacks, bathing suits to garden party dresses. A pair can be yours for $49.99US.}


{A deeply pretty example of the perfect shabby chic, pink injected kitchen, discovered via Just a Gal’s wonderful pages.}

The mere sight of pale pink as the mercury rises somehow seems soothing, relaxing, and enticing. I want to cloak myself in the tint of a blushing carnation from head-to-toe, meander through a garden of salt water taffy pink flowers, and conclude each meal with pale coral coloured meringues.

Don’t the items and photos above seem to positively burst with sweet, summertime joy, thanks to their cheerful pink hues? I certainly think so! Do you associate June’s ushering in of summer with pink or another lovely shade?